Martin Acoustic Guitars: HD28 Standard Dreadnought

The Martin HD-28 may very well be the Martin Guitar with the best acoustic guitar ratings ever. A re-creation of Martin’s well-loved herringbone style 28 guitars, the HD-28 produces a rich, full tone that you can feel vibrating in your bones as you play and which many players feel is the best sounding of all of Martin’s guitars.

With a solid Sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, this strongly built beauty has a zigzag backstrip that lends it visual appeal and uses Martin’s scalloped X-bracing to give it a bigger sound. While some may find that the HD-28 puts too much emphasis on the bass, it certainly does not skimp on its middle to higher notes, and with a little judicial playing this guitar will produce a well-rounded tone that will leave you grinning.

What’s the difference between the Martin HD-28 and the Martin D-28? Firstly, the Herringbone trim around the top adds about $200 to the price. Second, the X-brace of the HD-28 is closer to the sound hole as compared to the Martin D-28. Finally, the braces on the HD-28 are scalloped, where they are thinner in the center compared to the ends. These two structural differences help increase bass response and volume in the HD-28.

While the size of the HD-28 may be too large for younger or more slightly built players, the sound it produces is definitely worth the price ($2,699 including the Deluxe Martin hardshell case), and will add a distinctive flavor to any music you choose to play.